Srinagar : Police on Friday evening recovered pipes allegedly sold by the PHE officials in the black market in Surankote area of Poonch district.

Reports said that a police team, acting on a specific information, raided a shop at Surankote and found 22 pipes (2.5 inches in diameter) of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, sub-division Surankote.

The police recovered all the pipes which were allegedly sold by the PHE officials in the black market, they said. DSP Surankote Reyaz Ahmad also confirmed it and said that it was a scam which has been unearthed by police.

He said that investigations would reveal culpability of the officials and those found guilty will face action as per the law. “A case (FIR No. 242/2018) under section 409, 109 RPC has been registered and further investigations were taken up,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, local residents hailed police action and demanded stern action against the PHE officials involved in the scam.

“We staged protests, blocked the road in demand of the shortage of water due to lack of pipes umpteen times. Little did we know that pipes meant for ensuring potable water supply have been sold in the black market,” the locals said while demanding a stern action against the officials involved.